Journey of Discovery

Chapter 15 - The Hokage

A few days had passed since Sarada got to see her paternal grandparents and her uncle. The images of Sasuke attacking her mother were fading from her constant mindset and were being replaced by happier moments.

She was slowly beginning to understand how he fell into such a dark place, especially seeing how happy he was as a child. He loved his family very much and then to have them taken away, she couldn't imagine it. She would be lost without them.

Sasuke and Sakura made her promise to never use that Jutsu unless one of them were with her. She understood their reasoning given what has happened already, she saw so many things and couldn't fully understand it all. They didn't want her to be in that position ever again.

"So, what did you need to talk about Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

He and Sasuke were standing atop the Great Stone Faces over looking the village. They often came here to speak to have some privacy from all the staff. People were always bustling in and out of his office, Shikamaru was by Naruto's side more than not. Sasuke arrived early this morning and requested Naruto leave a shadow clone in his place so they could speak.

Sasuke didn't waste anytime jumping into it, he had things to do.

"Sarada got a hold of a Forbidden Jutsu. Sound like anyone you know?" Sasuke asked rhetorically. Naruto did learn his Shadow Clone Jutsu by stealing a scroll containing the justu. He was manipulated, Sarada did it by her own free will.

"What? What kind of Jutsu?"

"One that allowed her to go back in time but also prevented her from changing it."

Naruto's face went slack, immediately understanding how severe this could be. He crossed his arms over his chest, "Let me guess; she wanted to learn more about the past, more specifically yours. Am I right?" Naruto had been there since the beginning, he knew exactly how badly Sarada wanted to know more about her father.

"She managed to accomplish her goal."

"What all did she see Sasuke?"

Sasuke took an deep breath, letting it out in a long sigh. "The Clan Massacre, the Forest of Death, me leaving the village, our first fight, Itachi and I's battle, and me killing Danzo after the Five Kage Summit."

"Damn" Naruto said under his breath. He truly hadn't expected her to see so much of her father's past. He knew this was weighing heavily on Sasuke, he wanted to protect her from all the things he had to go through in his life. "How is she?"

Sasuke hesitated slightly before responding, "She's fine now."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner Sasuke?" Naruto asked, ignoring Sasuke's half-hearted reply. He knew he was lying.

"Because I handled it" he said sharply. "That's not why I'm here" he said a little more calmly.

"Then what is it?"

Sasuke hated having to lean on anyone for anything. It was something he still struggled with. Sakura was the one person he lets his guard down around. He struggled to be able to do that with Naruto still.

"I- I need advice. A favor really."

Naruto's mouth formed a mischievous grin, he looked like a teenager again. He leaned over and draped his arm around Sasuke's shoulders before pulling him in close to his side. "Sasuke asking me for advice. Never thought I'd see the day."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and jabbed an elbow into Naruto's ribs to get him off of him. It didn't faze him, he just giggled as he rubbed his ribs.

"I'm just messing with you Sasuke. What do you need?"

He looked out over the village, avoiding eye contact with Naruto. This would be easier if he didn't have to look at him. Sarada looked up to Naruto more than anyone, she even wanted to be the Hokage. Naruto had also been there for her as a child when Sasuke couldn't be. The next conversation he would have with her would be hard.

"Sarada respects you. I think she looks up to you more than anymore" he started. "That's why my next conversation with her will be difficult."

"What does she want to know?" Naruto asked. His mind flashed images of every fight he had with Sasuke, knowing that's where this conversation was surely going.

"She's asked about my Rinnegan and my arm. She has asked about my arm since she was very young, when she was old enough to notice that everyone had two while I've only had one. The questions about the Rinnegan started after she unlocked her Sharingan."

Naruto put his finger and thumb up to hold his chin, "And why don't think she hasn't put two and two together? Sarada's a smart kid."

Sasuke looked at him out of the corner of his eye, "She didn't know our past, not until she got a hold of that Jutsu." His eyes then shifted to Naruto's right arm, "Perhaps if I had taken the arm like you did she would've pieced it together sooner."

Naruto let out a deep breath, "So let me guess; you want me to be there when you talk to her?"

Sasuke nodded, "Everything she's seen has been one sided. This time I want her to have both sides."

The two men both stood over looking the village, quiet as the weight of their conversation settled. Their capes, one light one dark, blew softly in the wind. It was Autumn now, the air was cool but the sun was warm. The leaves all around the village were brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red.

"When did you want to do this?" Naruto asked, his answer hidden in his question.

"Tomorrow night."

Naruto shook his head in disagreement, "Hinata would kill me if I missed my own birthday with her and the kids. The next night, I'll be there."

Sasuke nodded, "Fine." And without another word he leapt from the Great Stone Faces, falling to the village below.